Gatwick Airport: South Downs MP supports Heathrow expansion

Nick Herbert, Arundel and South Downs MP, has said this morning that Gatwick would have ‘less than half the economic benefit’.

Following the commission’s proposal to expand Heathrow that was released this morning, Mr Herbert said: “The report is an unequivocal recommendation for Heathrow which has exposed that Gatwick would have less than half the economic benefit, insufficient transport connections especially to the north, and would fail to provide the hub airport which Britain needs.”

The Davies Report outlines the massive incremental economic benefits to the UK of a third runway at Heathrow compared to any other option, that Heathrow provides the best means to secure long haul routes to markets that are of critical importance to UK business and that Heathrow is the centre of a huge Air Freight network which is of increasing importance to the country.

Mr Herbert continued: “The Government cannot ignore the clear advantages of Heathrow and must not now funk the decision.

“Choosing a sub-optimal solution at Gatwick for political reasons would be inconsistent with the aims of delivering a long-term economic plan and taking decisions in the national interest.

“Major cities around the world that have failed to develop a single hub airport have paid a big price, losing business, jobs and growth to competitors. Britain cannot afford to make the same mistake.”